A defensive wish list for the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency

KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 26: Head coach Steve Spagnuolo of the St. Louis Rams looks on from the sideline against the Kansas City Chiefs during a pre-season game at Arrowhead Stadium on August 26, 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 26: Head coach Steve Spagnuolo of the St. Louis Rams looks on from the sideline against the Kansas City Chiefs during a pre-season game at Arrowhead Stadium on August 26, 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
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PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 24: Head coach Steve Spagnuolo of St. Louis Rams watches his team play against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the Christmas Eve game on December 24, 2011 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 24: Head coach Steve Spagnuolo of St. Louis Rams watches his team play against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the Christmas Eve game on December 24, 2011 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Free agency begins March 13th, and there are plenty of players that would help the Chiefs. Here’s a free agency wishlist that would improve the defense.

As everyone knows by now, the Kansas City Chiefs need to improve their defense this offseason. Free agency begins March 13th, and it is the perfect opportunity for the Chiefs to make some moves.

After firing Bob Sutton, the Chiefs brought in defensive coordinator Steve “Spags” Spagnuolo. Spagnuolo’s defensive scheme is a big change from what the Chiefs are used to, as they will be switching from a 3-4 base scheme to a 4-3 base scheme. This means that instead of utilizing four linebackers and three defensive linemen, the Chiefs defense will utilize three linebackers and four defensive linemen.

This change in scheme changes the entire defense, as the Chiefs will now have to prepare to fill spots they haven’t had to prepare for in the past. While the Chiefs secondary needs help regardless of a switch, there are many questions surrounding the front seven.

Switching to a 4-3 scheme greatly affects how linebackers play. In the 3-4 scheme, there are traditionally two outside linebackers and two inside linebackers. However, in the 4-3 defense, the linebackers are known as middle linebacker, weak-side linebacker, and strong-side linebacker.

These changes affect how the Chiefs will be handling free agency. Here’s a free agency wishlist of what players would fit the Chiefs’ new 4-3 defensive scheme and improve the defense, starting with the defensive interior.

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